The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-07-22
The Way the Wife Of the Young Chinese
Emperor was Chosen.

In the San Fr4ucisco Chronicle Of
July was the folio wing
The Chinese residents of this city
were somewhat anXiously awaiting the
arrival of news relating 10 the approach
ing nup' ials OF his ImpeIia ia. Mrjesty
X wong Suey, "Son of Heaven" ard
Lord of Ten thousand Years" etc.
\ dispatch received in tnis city ysster-
day announced that d bride bad beer
selected for the yOuEg Emperor. and
that 81, ,0O0. 600 would be expended in the
celebration OF the mos: auspiciOns
event.
As soon As Il becomes known when
the imperial affair will take place the
Emperor's wealthy and loyal citiZ-ns of
this city will prepare for the proper
observance OF the event. The day will
be made a holiday, the dragon flag will
be fioaJed. feasiiDg made the order OF
business, and perhaps q procession and
other exercises viii be held. But as
yet the date of the marriage remains
with the fates, which the astrologeTs of
the Empire must divine.
The first ceremony of betrothal has
now been observed. This is the choice
of the bride. A Chinese Empress is
not chosen for nobility of family OF rep
utatiou, although generally she is ta-
ken from the nobility. Her personal
beauty is the almost Exclusive require
ment. The mother of Hen Fung.
former Empress, kept fruit stall. The
Emperor himself has nothing whatever
to do with the selection of the Empress.
The present Empress DOwager, who is
a very able woman. and who has
reigned as Regent, some time since is
sued an edict through the Pekin Gazette
that the Emperor should marry, and set
a date when a reception should be held
TO candidates for the high honor. On
the appointed day the MOngOlian papas
and mammas took their fairest daugh-
ters to the Empress palace. The En-
press with her ladies, then chose the
handsomes. virgin. She should be Em
press. But the Emperor is also legally
entitled To eight Queens. Consequently
eight other handsome virgins were cho-
5en to fill these high offices. The per
sOnality of these selections has not
reached this city, but the next mail is
expected to furnish the particulars. 1t
is now the duty of the Imperial Board of
AstrOlogers to consult the stars and de-
termine the lucky day when, if the mar
Tiage takes place, all will be well. If it
does not go well all will; go wrong with
the astrologers. They are consequent
ly very careful, and consult the stars
and various deities favorable to matri-
mOuy. The date of the marriage being
discovered, other ceremonies ensue,
such as the present alton of 100 cakes to
the Empress elect. If the Emperor
should Gle before the wedding takes
place il would be quite the proper thing
for the fiancee TO commit suicide. AT
any rate, she must 60 and live at the
palace and remain virgin. When she
is 81 years of age she will be rewarded
by the reverence of her relatives. The
Emperor K~Ong Suey, from all &C
counts, is very commendable young
man. and has considerable in fluence
with COnfucius and the o. her gods.
On May 4, for instance, he prayed for
rain, the China papers relate. On May
l3 it rained. All China fell down on
its kness 20 express thanks for the ben
eficent hearing of KvOng Suey's petit
tiOn.
Suey was born in 1871, ard was
crowned at the age of 1. He is the son
of the seventh brother of the Emperor
preceding the last. 1t is expected that
after his marriage the Empress DoWager
will hand over the reins of government
entirely to Suey.